2006 - During an investors conference call, Linda McMahon explained the decision to stop ECW house shows, stating that WWE felt ECW running smaller venues for live events, while a "unique experience" for fans, was not going to help them in building the brand, and that is why they decided to cancel the ECW events and instead pair up ECW and Smackdown, with the idea that ECW will have their own shows again down the road in larger venues. Obviously, years have passed, and ECW never returned to their own branded shows and were eventually shut down as a separate TV entity.

An investor asked why WWE isn't running the three brands as separate companies, each with their own budget and management. The caller noted that he sees no difference in the three brands, and the crossovers make it seem like one large product, not three distinct brands. Linda said that they originally split the brands to create separate touring groups. She said that WWE having separate brands has resulted in them creating more stars and has also resulted in licensing growth. Linda said (and boy, was this one a stretch) that WWE has created distinct brands, and that the crossovers enable them to have more interesting storylines and create a greater sense of competition between the brands. She didn't acknowledge the part of the question that brought up the idea of the brands being run independently of each other.

2009 - TNA announced they would be going head-to-head with WWE on January 4, 2010 with a live three-hour Impact special going against WWE Raw. TNA would later move Impact to Monday nights on Spike TV for several weeks, before being moved back to Thursdays. TNA issued the following announcement:

HULKAMANIA IS COMING BACK TO MONDAY NIGHT ON “TNA iMPACT!” LIVE JANUARY 4 ON SPIKE TV

Hulk Hogan’s First Live Appearance On Spike TV’s “TNA iMPACT” Will Be In A Special 3-Hour Live Episode Monday, January 4 At 8:00 PM ET/PT

The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, will make his first live appearance on Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “TNA iMPACT!” in a live 3-hour special on Spike TV Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:00PM ET/PT. Hogan and TNA President Dixie Carter attended “The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights” Finale in Las Vegas where Hogan made the announcement in an interview with Joe Rogan.

“TNA iMPACT!” will be going against “WWE Monday Raw” on USA Network, the first time two wrestling companies have broadcast live head-to-head since the “Monday Night Wars” in the late 1990’s between WWE and WCW. This “iMPACT!” special will broadcast live from the TNA iMPACT! Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fl.

Hogan’s first appearance inside the six-sided ring of TNA Wrestling will follow weeks of speculation after Hogan and Carter announced their partnership on October 27 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hogan has hinted in various media interviews that he’ll have multiple surprises in store for TNA Wrestling fans.

“I knew when I signed with TNA, that it would be important to make a statement with the first episode. Going head-to-head on January 4th, makes the statement loud and clear: Game on!” Hogan said.

“TNA is kicking off 2010 in the biggest way possible with the biggest name in the history of our sport. Hulk Hogan is a pop culture icon, and his arrival will change not only TNA, but the entire professional wrestling landscape. We’re firing that first shot,” Carter said.

“TNA iMPACT!” will resume its normal timeslot on Thursday, January 7th at 9:00 PM ET/PT with an encore viewing of the live “iMPACT!” special.

TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on her twitter account: "Hogan to debut Jan 4 in a live 3 hr iMPACT! special up against Raw. How's that for a 1st shot? Spread the word."

2010 - King Curtis Iaukea passed away at his home at the age of 73. During his long career, Iaukea worked for a number of different territories, including the WWWF, Australia, the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, San Francisco, All Star Pro Wrestling in Britain and Championship Wrestling from Florida. A tall, girthy man with a loud bellowing voice, he made a tremendous heel and held titles in just about every promotion he worked for, including for IWA World titles in Australia, the WWWF Tag Team belts with Baron Mikel Scicluna, the Florida Heavyweight championship and more. Iaukea also appeared in a Three Stooges film as a villain, pre-dating just about every wrestler who ever made a crossover to film by years. Iaukeas' final appearances on a national basis were as Kamala's original WWF manager "The Wizard" before slowly being phased out in favor of Mr. Fuji. He later made appearances in WCW vignettes for the Dungeon of Doom group that feuded with Hulk Hogan in the mid-1990s. Iaukea had been ill for some time, according to his son, Rocky Iaukea.

We are live from Tampa, Florida and your announcers are Michael ‘Big Cheddar’ Cole and Jerry ‘Six Seasons and a Movie’ Lawler.

John Cena makes his way to the ring and he might not be in a good mood because there are some people in the crowd who are booing him. John says hello to his current hometown crowd and he says that it is that time again. Cena says that last Monday was kind of interesting. He reminds us that he was on Piper’s Pit last week and he thanks Roddy for being a friend, for being a WWE Hall of Famer, and for being part of the WWE Universe. John points out that everyone tells him how they feel about him every week. Cena says that Piper told him how he felt last week.

Cena says that there is no show without all of the people in the stands. He says that it is pretty cut and dry. If they don’t watch, they don’t work. He says that everyone has the right to tell him what they think about him. Cena respects the people who boo him and he thanks the people for cheering for him.

Cena says that on certain circumstances he has heard people chant things like ‘Fruity Peebles’ and they oblige. Cena says that is the energy that Roddy Piper talked about. Cena says that he has been dealing with reactions like that since he got to the company. He says that what matters to him was the slap. Not Piper’s slap, but the slaps on the mat when CM Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio to retain the WWE Championship.

Cena says that he has respect for CM Punk, but he needs a number one contender. Cena says that the only thing that will be bigger than Cena versus the Rock at Wrestlemania is Cena versus Rock for the WWE Championship.

Alberto Del Rio comes out and he is without his music, his car, or his Ricardo. Alberto tells Cena that the title match is his.

Cena wants to know what part of ‘You Lost’ did Del Rio not get.

Del Rio says that the fans do not matter and they do not count. Last week, John Laurinaitis said that if CM Punk got intentionally disqualified he would be the WWE Champion. Alberto says that he has something to show to everyone.

We see footage from last week when Punk gave Del Rio snake eyes onto the exposed turnbuckle without the referee seeing it.

Del Rio points out that CM Punk cheated last week and he did it on purpose. Del Rio says that it is not his fault that the referee did not see it. Del Rio claims that he should be the WWE Champion.

Vickie Guerrero comes to the ring with Dolph Ziggler and she throws out a few excuse mes. She says that neither Cena nor Del Rio deserve a WWE Championship match. Vickie says that she is with the only person who deserves a title match and that is Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph asks Alberto and John if they disagree. Dolph asks them which one of them beat Randy Orton last week on Raw. Dolph asks which of them is the longest reigning champion. He asks which one of them will be the simultaneous WWE and US Champion.

Cena calls Dolph ‘The Show Off’ because of what he heard Cole say. Cena has a new name for Dolph. Cena suggests changing ‘show’ with ‘jerk’ and we have it done.

Dolph says that it is not showing off if you back it up every night.

Cena wonders why Dolph is not giving a title shot to the man who deserves a US Title Shot and he brings up Zack Ryder.

Dolph says that he wonders if beating a dead horse or overrated are trending now. He says that he is getting the next title match.

In case we needed another person to claim that they deserve a title match, Miz makes his way to the ring as we see what he has done to R Truth and John Morrison.

Miz throws out a few reallys and then he says that he has some news for everyone. Miz says that next week is the Slammys. He points out that he beat John Cena at Wrestlemania, his title reign lasted longer than a month, and he doesn’t need Vickie Guerrero to get a reaction. He also took care of R Truth and John Morrison. He is the 2010 Superstar of the Year and the man who should be the next WWE Champion.

John Laurinaitis comes out and he introduces himself to the people who fall asleep when he shows up on the screen. John says that he has been falsely accused of being a boring executive figurehead who cannot make creative decisions. John says that each of them will face a Smackdown superstar and if they win, they will be in the WWE Championship match at TLC. There is going to be a live contract signing tonight on Raw.

John says that he has a special match for Cena tonight. It is the ‘Social Experiment’. He tells John to see who his opponent is.

John wishes them all luck.

We see highlights of Dolph Ziggler’s victory over Randy Orton last week thanks to Wade Barrett’s interference.

Match Number One: Miz versus Randy Orton in a Will Miz make it to the WWE Championship Match at TLC Match

They lock up and Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up again and Miz with punches to Orton followed by kicks. Orton with a kick and punches to Miz followed by a European uppercut. Miz with an Irish whip into the corner but Orton with a clothesline. Orton with the Garvin Stomp followed by a suplex. Miz with a kick and boot to the head followed by boots to the midsection. Miz with a knee to the back followed by a boot to the head.

Miz gets a near fall and applies a reverse chin lock and we see the Twitter Trending Box. Miz hits the Reality Check and gets a near fall. Miz methodically returns to the reverse chin lock. Orton with a belly-to-back suplex to escape. Miz sets for the Awesome Clothesline but Orton with two clotheslines and then he ducks a clothesline from Miz and hits the power slam. Orton sends Miz to the apron and tries for the IEDDT but Miz gets to his feet and back body drops Orton to the floor.

Miz tries to attack Orton on the floor and Orton hits a power slam.

Wade Barrett’s music plays during the match because . . . I have nothing.

Barrett comes down the ramp while Orton is about to put Miz back in the ring. Orton chases Barrett up the ramp and the referee makes the ten count.

Winner: Miz by count out and Viper Stupidity

After the match, Orton returns to the ring and he is hit from behind by Wade Barrett.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to make the official announcement (that was known earlier today on the site) that WWE Network will debut in 2012.

Zack Ryder is in the office with John Laurinaitis and John wants to talk to him about the petition. John tells Zack that Dolph has filed a complaint about the petition and he doesn’t deserve a title match.

John Cena enters dressed like Zack Ryder and he insults John. Laurinaitis is going to be in a match with a popular WWE Superstar. He will be wrestling Zack Ryder and John doesn’t want to do it. Laurinaitis asks if Cena doesn’t think that Ryder is competition. John tells Zack that if he wins tonight, he gets a future United States Title Match. He tells Cena that he will get into the WWE Championship match at TLC.

David Otunga has his coffee and he tells Kevin Nash that he will be facing Triple H in a ladder match at the pay per view. Nash wonders if Hunter is cleared. Otunga says that there will be a sledgehammer over the ring so the person who grabs the hammer, he will be able to use it legally in the match. Nash states the obvious by saying that if he grabs the sledgehammer, he can use it without any ramifications. Otunga tells Nash that he will be in action tonight. Nash asks if it is Triple H and when Otunga tells him it isn’t Hunter, he has no worries.

Otunga finally takes a drink from his travel mug.

We see footage from Tuesday night’s match between Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry to show why Bryan’s ribs are taped up.

Match Number Two: Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez versus Daniel Bryan in an Alberto Del Rio has his chance to join Miz and CM Punk in the WWE Championship Match at TLC Match

They lock up and Del Rio backs Bryan into the corner and he kicks Bryan in the ribs and connects with shoulders in the corner and Bryan goes down to the mat. Del Rio with kicks to the ribs. Del Rio with a hard Irish whip and then he kicks Bryan in the ribs again. Bryan flips over Del Rio and then hits a flying forearm and both men are down. Bryan kicks Del Rio in the chest but Del Rio blocks a kick and then he punches Bryan.

Bryan with a boot and then he applies a guillotine choke but Del Rio is able to drop Bryan across the ropes to escape the hold. Del Rio with the float over into the cross arm breaker and Bryan taps.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, and Eve Torres walk in the back and they stare towards the camera as we go to commercial.

We have a video package from Beth and Natalya talking about what Pin Up Strong means. It is interrupted by the 1/2/12 video package.

Match Number Three: Kelly Kelly, and Eve Torres with Alicia Fox versus Beth Phoenix and Natalya with absolutely no one else because they don’t need any help

Natalya and Kelly start things off and Natalya runs Kelly into the corner and Beth tags in and they hit a double side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Beth slams Kelly and applies a reverse chin lock. Beth with a back breaker and then she goes after Alicia for a second. Kelly with an inside cradle for the three count.

Winners: Kelly Kelly with Eve Torres

We go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Zack Ryder versus John Cena in a Cena wins and he joins everyone else in the match at TLC or Ryder wins and maybe gets a US Title Match Match

This match of honor starts off they lock up and Ryder with a side head lock. Cena with an arm drag take down into an arm bar. Cena with a side head lock take down. Cena with a shoulder tackle and he blocks a hip toss. Ryder with a flying shoulder tackle and a side head lock take down.

Cena with a hip toss and he gets a near fall. Cena with a reverse chin lock. Ryder escapes the hold and hits a flapjack and gets a near fall. Ryder returns to reverse chin lock. Cena gets Ryder up on his shoulders but Ryder escapes and hits an Edge-o-Matic and returns to the reverse chin lock while Ziggler and Vickie watch from the back.

Ryder with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ryder returns to the reverse chin lock. Cena with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Cena charges into knees from Ryder and Ryder with a drop kick from the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Ryder goes back to the turnbuckles but Cena stops him and gets Ryder on his shoulders. Ryder fights out of the hold and Ryder with a tornado DDT for a near fall.

Ryder signals for the Rough Ryder but Cena avoids it and hits the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and now it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Ryder up for the Attitude Adjustment but Ryder gets to the ropes. Cena misses a charge into the corner and Ryder lines up for the running boot into the corner and he hits it. Ryder waits for the Rough Ryder but Cena blocks it and hits the Attitude Adjustment for the three count.

Winner: John Cena

After the match, Ryder talks about how it was his one shot for the title match. Cena leaves the ring and he goes to the back.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Slammys are next week and there is no sign of Dennis Miller on the call sheet.

In case you want to be part of the Slammys voting, you can go to wwe.com.

John Laurinaitis and David Otunga are talking and John Cena enters and he tells David to get another coffee. Cena tells John to listen to the people. He says that the kid has worked his ass off and he deserves a United States Title opportunity.

Laurinaitis tells Cena that Ryder blew his opportunity tonight. John says that Zack has another opportunity and he has to win tonight. John tells Cena that it is on one condition. He tells Cena to give up his title match at TLC. Cena thinks about it for a minute and he points out that he is a ten time WWE Champion. He says that he was fortunate enough to get an opportunity and he has seen that kid work his ass off while the office never gives him an opportunity. Cena agrees to give up his title match for Ryder.

We have an awkward staredown after Cena asks Laurinaitis who Ryder is facing and John has no idea (even though he is the RAW GENERAL MANAGER).

Cole stands up for John Laurinaitis.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Five: Zack Ryder versus Mark Henry in a Zack Ryder Redemption thanks to John Cena’s selfless behavior Match that is also No Count Out and No Disqualification

Henry with a forearm to the back and Ryder goes to the mat. Henry kicks Ryder in the chest and then he head butts Ryder. Henry with a kick to Ryder’s back. Henry chokes Ryder but Ryder stomps on Henry’s injured foot. Henry with a clothesline. Henry sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and then he chokes him on the apron while Henry tells Ryder that he doesn’t belong in his ring.

Ryder sends Henry’s ankle into the ring post and then Ryder with the running boot into the corner. Henry pushes Ryder away while Cena makes his way to the ring to give Ryder some support.

Henry with a clothesline to Ryder but Cena comes into the ring and he hits the Attitude Adjustment on Henry and Cena puts Ryder on top of Henry for the three count.

Winner: Zack Ryder thanks completely due to John Cena

Dolph Ziggler is in the back with Vickie and Jack Swagger and Dolph wants to have the decision reversed. Vickie says that she can’t do anything about it. Vickie tells Dolph that he will be facing Sheamus tonight. Jack says that he will be at ringside. Dolph says that he doesn’t want any help. Dolph says that he was kidding, but he still doesn’t want Jack at ringside with him.

Kevin Nash is in the back and he is moving towards commercial.

We are back and while we wait for Kevin Nash to get to the Gorilla Position, we hear what some of the members of the WWE Universe have to say about Zack Ryder.

Santino gets psyched up and Nash with a knee and elbow. Nash with a side slam and he gets a near fall. Nash with a big boot as we see the Twitter Trending Box and Brodus Clay is trending even though he has not wrestled on Raw. Nash with a power bomb for the three count.

Winner: Kevin Nash

After the match, Nash gets the CoolHammer and he stands over Santino and he teases using it on him. Nash stands over Santino and holds the Big Daddy CoolHammer over his head and then he leaves.

CM Punk is in the locker room talking to Evan Bourne so we know that Bourne is back from his month long vacation, but Evan’s Tag Title Belt and tag team partner are nowhere to be found.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Tribute to the Troops will be on next Tuesday night.

Match Number Seven: Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero versus Sheamus in a Ziggler can be in the TLC WWE Championship Match Match

Ziggler avoids Sheamus to show that he is faster than Sheamus. Sheamus with a hip lock take down and he puts Ziggler in a side head lock. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle but Ziggler with a drop kick. Ziggler backs Sheamus into the corner and then he slaps Sheamus. Sheamus with a running forearm to Ziggler followed by a forearm and then he puts Ziggler in the ropes and connects with a series of forearms across the chest.

Sheamus with a suplex for a near fall. Sheamus chokes Ziggler in the ropes but Ziggler with a European uppercut followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Ziggler kicks Sheamus and chokes him in the ropes while Vickie tells him what to do. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Sheamus tries for the power slam but Ziggler gets out of the hold and hits a Fameasser for a near fall.

Ziggler returns to the side head lock but Sheamus powers out of the hold. Sheamus with the running double sledges to Ziggler followed by head butts in the corner. Sheamus signals for the Celtic Cross but Ziggler gets to his feet. Sheamus charges into the corner and hits the ring post with his shoulder.

Zack Ryder’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. The distraction allows Sheamus to recover and he hits the Brogue kick and gets the three count.

Winner: Sheamus

After the match, Ryder hits the Rough Ryder and holds the title belt before leaving the ring.

We go to commercial, but are you ready for the most electrifying thing in WWE, the contract signing?

We are back and Miz, Alberto Del Rio, and Ricardo Rodriguez are in the ring. John Laurinaitis makes his way to the ring (but he has no entrance music).

John says that it is exciting to be part of the WWE Universe and he talks about the excitement about the introduction of Brodus Clay, the Slammys, and Mark Henry versus John Cena which will take place next week on Raw.

It is time for CM Punk to make his way to the ring so he can do something inside the arena other than talk to Evan Bourne.

Punk moves the chair out of the way and he stares at his two opponents for the WWE Championship. Punk then moves the table and John wants to know what he is doing. Punk mentions that this is the biggest cliché in WWE because they always end up in a pier six brawl (which he hopes will trend on Twitter). There has not been a peaceful contract signing since Wrestlemania 3 so he tells John to play the part of Jack Tunney and then they can sign the contract and get fighting.

John says that he is all about excitement and the WWE Championship will be defended in a Triple Threat Table, Ladders, and Chairs Match.

Punk says that means he has to beat the guy he pinned last week and the guy who lost at Survivor Series, he is okay about that.

Miz wants to talk about what has happened since Survivor Series. He has taken out R Truth and John Morrison.

Punk asks if he took them out on a date. He wants to know where Miz took them. He suggests that he took them to see the new Twilight flick . . . not that there is anything wrong with that.

Miz says that he took them up to the stage and face planted them on the steel stage. Miz says that Morrison was even released as a result.

Laurinaitis wishes Morrison the best in his future endeavors.

Miz points out that those were friends of his at one point. Now he gets to face two people he does not like in a match where the WWE Championship is on the line. Miz says that he is the Most Must See WWE Champion of all time. At TLC he is going to take back what is his.

Punk says that was a lot of information and he agrees that they are not friends. He says that he does not have TMZ on speed dial to make sure that they meet him at LAX. Punk says that he concerns himself with being the best wrestler in the world.

Del Rio says that he is tired of hearing these two crying like little girls. He says that he has won everything in 2011. He won the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and the WWE Title. He is going to beat Punk again and there is nothing that Punk or Miz can do again.

Punk says that if Del Rio says that it is his destiny, he is going to start drinking.

Miz says that he might not like Del Rio and they are going to tear each other apart, but there is one thing that they can agree upon. It is that Punk will not be walking out WWE Champion.

Miz signs the contract, then Del Rio signs the contract. Del Rio tells Punk that he is going to lose.

Punk looks at the contract and wonders if they can get to fighting after he signs it. Punk signs the contract.

John says that the match is official. He wishes each of them good luck and then he is looking forward to the match so he wants a WWE photographer to capture the moment.

Punk refuses to join in and he says that even John’s contract signings are boring. They are supposed to be violent. Punk says that if you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself. Punk hits Miz and then Del Rio. Punk gets Ricardo up for the Go To Sleep but Del Rio attacks Punk. Del Rio picks up the chair and he throws it to the floor (instead of hitting Punk with it). Del Rio sets up the table and Miz hits Del Rio from behind. Punk with a knee to Del Rio and then he bulldogs Del Rio through the table. Punk gets Miz up for the Go To Sleep.

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